POP CULTURE
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MOVIE REVIEWS Movies are back in cinemas, and if you’re up for it, it might be worth checking them out! Although it’s still early in 2022, a number of early Oscar hopefuls and real crime thrillers have already piqued the interest of millions.
INEMACAN HELP YOU in making sense of our ever- changing reality. Audiences absorb fresh perspectives
on the world through the lens of a filmmaker, which might feel more relevant now, in this third year of wondering what normal even means. Here are our reviews for the top 3 finest films of 2022 so far:
TURNING RED Domee Shi explores the story of a 13-year- old fangirl going through an extreme version of puberty while simultaneously dealing with familial pressures in her debut film after her Oscar-winning short, Bao. The girl, Mei, had been plagued by a curse that had been passed down through the generations of women in her family. She becomes a red panda when she loses her calm. It’s a joy to follow Mei as she discovers her inner red panda and realizes that the red beast won’t take over if she maintains a cool and collected exterior devoid of emotions with a little support from her friends. Who knows, she might even be able to live a regular life and have some fun in the process. But when you’re a teen girl identified by your erratic mood swings and the time you spend with your similarly erratic group of friends,
THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD When one’s youth begins to eventually fade away due to society’s harsh standards, there is a restlessness that builds within. The pressure to become, to achieve, to fall in love forever, all to prove you’ve got something to show for your earthbound time, settles in as you perform the demanding charade of adulthood, with your twenties now completed and your thirties ticking down. Recognizing that a person’s coming-of-age can last well beyond high school, Norwegian director Joachim Trier offers a frank portrait of an Oslo free spirit in her 30s. The film is both an in-depth character study and an unconventional rom-com, with the focus on Julie’s (an amazing Renate Reinsve) bold, impetuous style of navigating the world.
THE BATMAN Since the announcement of Robert Pattinson’s role as Batman, fans and journalists have been wondering what fresh ideas the superhero franchise may possibly explore. However, filmmaker Matt Reeves’ brutal noir take on the story, which has a hero who is just a hair’s breadth away from becoming a villain, proves to be a refreshing take on the story, as well as a reflection of our contemporary political situation. Reeves has created a film that is both ethereal and hefty, substantial but impressionistic, thanks to his collaboration with top-notch artists and craftspeople. that’s easier said than done.The film presents the classic Pixar magic in a new light, managing to be both universal and specific at the same time.
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EC Magazines | L.A. Times Edition 2022
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